Last week I shared the entrance Doors to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; this week I sharing Doors within the Gardens.
Door leading to the Gardens Don’t recall offhand what this was used called William H. Williamson, III Orchid Conservatory William H. Williamson, III Orchid ConservatoryColeman approaching the William H. Williamson, III Orchid ConservatoryDaniel Stowe Botanical Garden Dan’s Thursday Doors
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week and weekend ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with w. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week the guest host for Monochrome Madnessis Sue from WordsVisual. She has given us the theme of Figures in the Built Environment. She gives us the opportunity to explore and express our own unique interpretations including using not just people, but also statues. Street art, and/or non-human figures. Therefore, I figured I’d share a variety using her suggestions as a guide.
Here are my entries …
Hendersonville, NCJefferson, NCGermany Spring Market, ASCG Fort Mill, SCColeman next to Veterans Memorial Cramerton, NCThree Soldiers (Aka Three Servicemen part of Vietnam Veterans Memorial National Mall, Washington D.C. Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, SCColeman joining in with the Children’s Sculpture Glencairn Garden Rock Hill , SCColeman In the Children’s Garden DSBG Belmont, NCColeman with Fetch Statue AJSP Lancaster, SCColeman with the Andrew Jackson Statue AJSP Lancaster, SCMy mom, my Aunt & Uncle, and Grandpa Stone Mountain DeKalb County, Georgia Monochrome Madness #64
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game.This week’s number is 749. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …
To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.
Here are my contributions …
Lighting of the WaxhawsNew Braunfels Railroad MuseumAlonaLighting of the WaxhawsColeman Uncle Art & Aunt SophieWho’s behind the Lattice? Mallards Watching a PlayColeman on the TrailGreenway Horse Dinner TheatreUncle MarvinPlaying Praying in the Mud Uncle ShortyMistyBabyland General Hospital Cleveland, GeorgiaJudy’s Numbers Game #132-749
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I look forward to seeing y’all’s pictures forJudy’s Numbers Game. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Have a lovely week. Enjoy a walk/hike if possible. Keep Cool. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We are still experiencing extremely high temperatures and humidity. For the past month Coleman and I had not ventured outdoors (mostly my not wanting to be in the heat, Coleman doesn’t care one way or another what the temperatures are like. He prefers the outdoors.) Not wanting to have either of us (especially me) to get overheated and/or dehydrated, we stayed home and indoors (much to Coleman’s displeasure.)
Due to irritability (mostly mine), my daughter insisted we take her car and go visit Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. She even handed me the cash to cover the entrance fees.
After visiting the Butterfly Bungalow, the Prairie Castle Playground (for Coleman playtime), we walked through the various Perennial Gardens to the Tunnel Fountain. The Tunnel Fountainis a dynamic water arch display near the Canal Garden. It was at the Tunnel Fountain where Coleman found his Reprieve from this summer’s extreme Heatwave.
Coleman enjoy a bit of Reprieve from the Summer Heatwave with Splash-time at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Location: Tunnel Fountain; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Spread joy and happiness all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
[Let me know if you’re not able to view the video.]
Who’s Harebrained idea was it to come here? It is blazing hot in this extreme heat. Why would anyone think a Harebrained idea like this was alright to leave an air conditioned building to walk around sweating would be fun?
Yesterday’s temperature was 90°F with a heat index of 98°F. Not the recommended temps for walking or hiking outdoors. I asked earlier who had the Harebrained idea to go spend time outside in this heatwave. Where did we go?
Coleman and I were sick and tired or being cooped up indoors. We had been avoiding going out into the extreme hot weather we’ve been experiencing. A person go only take so much of being trapped indoors before anxiety attacks. My daughter (having a day off) suggested Coleman and I go out and visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. So that’s who suggested the Harebrained idea of leaving air conditioning and visiting the Stowe Gardens.
This are the entrance doors to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden …
Entrance Doors to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, NC
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week and weekend ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with w. I appreciate y’all very much.
It was another extremely hot and humid day in the Carolinas. Despite the heat, Coleman and I ventured out to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to check out the new additions (more on that later), the flowers in bloom, and the Butterfly Bungalow (in a future post).
This is the pathway where we began our adventure towards the Gardens and the Butterfly Bungalow.
Coleman in the Shadows at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
Location: Haigler Loop; Lake Haigler; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina. USA
God Bless. Stay Cool. Have safe and Happy 4th! Happy Birthday America! Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
I’m a few days behind, lots of stuff going on right now. I started this on time, but needed time to ponder over my thoughts and reflect on Debbie’s One Word Sunday choice of Inspiredfor this week. I may be taking a different approach than some of you in that my train of thought is based on what inspires me.
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.”
— Aristotle
Quote by Anne Springs Close
As some of you may realize, Coleman and I enjoy (if not thrive) in nature. Nature inspires me to relax, reevaluate, and reflect on my life. It inspires me to strive for peace and calmness in my everyday life. Nature’s Beauty and Stunning Views inspire me to capture it to preserve the memories which I love sharing with others.
“I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”
— Anne Frank
The Jane Spratt McColl Wildflower Meadow A Dedicated Native Habitat Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
The core inspiration for the Jane Spratt McColl Wildflower Meadow is based on a lifelong friendship, native roots, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
The Wildflower Meadow was designed with the follow key elements:
The lifelong friendship between York County native Jane Spratt McColl and the preserve’s namesake, Anne Springs Close.
The garden was designed to mimic the historical, untamed Piedmont prairies that once covered parts of the Carolinas.
A primary ecological catalyst was creating a controlled habitat specifically optimized to save the Schweinitz’s sunflower, an endangered species endemic exclusively to the Piedmont region of the Carolinas.
The physical layout includes the Path of Honor. It was inspired by a desire to let community members permanently weave their own stories into the landscape. Visitors can dedicate plantings to loved ones, transforming the conservation project into a living memorial.
“To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Coleman in the Walkway of the Wildflower Meadow
“May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.”
Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Greenway Gateway; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Commune with Nature. Be inspired by its beauty, serenity. and peacefulness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Sun’s Rays Shining on the Water Gulf of Mexico Coleman Sweating in the Hot Sun Cramerton, NCSun’s Bright Rays Myrtle Beach, SCEclipse Sun’s Glistening Light at Murrells Inlet, SCFireworks Brightly Bursting the Night Skies Cramerton, NCSparkling Fireworks at Myrtle Beach, SCSky or Water? Using a Star Filter Gastonia, NC
Cameras: Apple 14 Pro Max; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i, and Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Locations: As stated above.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
Beth from Wandering Dawgs is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge with the theme of Subjects Beginning with the Letter ‘B’. We all like to have fun with the variety themes chosen by the various artists who hosts this challenge each week. I hope y’all enjoy my selections.
Here are my entries …
Boy (aka Coleman) sitting on a Branch wearing Blue Jean shorts
Bird on the Beach Bird on the BeachBirds in the Beautiful Blue Sky Subject is BIRDS
BUTTERFLY Limenitis arthemis, aka Red-spotted Purple is a North American Butterfly Belonging to the Brush-footed Butterfly family.
Boy (aka Coleman) on a Bench with a Blue snack Box and a Blue Camouflage Backpack and wearing a Blue shirt
God Bless. Be Happy. Be Cool. Be a Blessing to those around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Occasionally, when Coleman and I visit The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, we choose to watch one of Planetarium shows it offers for an extra fee. On this particular we decided to pay the extra fee to watch “Back from the Brink: Saved from Extinction”.
Coleman
On the day we visited Planetarium shows were being offered at 11:15 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. The “Back from the Brink: Saved from Extinction” show we chose was scheduled to begin at the 2:30 pm show time. We walked around the natural trail for about 45 minutes then came back inside to wait for the show time.
Here Coleman has Pulled Up a Seat at one of the tables to wait to closer to the scheduled time to line up for the show.
III Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme for the Which Way Challenge is (CWWC): Any Which Way with Blue Along a Trail, Pathway, or Walkway [06.26.2026. The Which Way can be Any Which Way you choose in your along any trail, pathway, or walkway with blue as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Here are my entries …
Coleman on Trekker LoopColeman on Trekker LoopLake Crandall Anne Springs Close GreenwayTrekker Loop along Lake Crandall Adventure Road Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman Archers Loop Anne Springs Close GreenwayColeman at Lake Crandall Coleman at Lake CrandallColeman at Lake CrandallColeman at Lake CrandallColeman at Disc Golf Course Coleman on Trekker LoopColeman Archers LoopColeman on Lake Crandall PierColeman on Lake Crandall PierLake Crandall Anne Springs Close GreenwayLake Crandall Anne Springs Close GreenwayColeman on Fern Forest Trail CWWC Cee’s Which Way Challenge CFFC Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Crayola Blue
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Location: Trekker Loop, Archers Loop, & Fern Forest Trails; Adventure Road Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Next Week’s theme: Which way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way Along a Dirt Trail (aka with Brown) [07.03.2026]
This week’s Ragtag Daily Prompt of Trail fits perfectly into the activities which Coleman and I enjoy the most. This Trail is one we haven’t hiked in a while, but always enjoyed.
The Piedmont Medical Center Trail (a part of the Carolina Thread Trail system) runs adjacent to the Catawba River in Rock Hill/Fort Mill, South Carolina. The header image is of the Catawba River as seen from the Trail on the Rock Hill side.
The Trail on the Rock Hill side of the Catawba River is predominantly a smooth paved surface trail. The Trail on the Fort Mill side of the Catawba River is a natural surface trail. Coleman and I have hiked the Trails on both sides of the Catawba River. Coleman loves to be near the river, as well as in the river, whenever and wherever possible.
Location: Piedmont Medical Center Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk along a Trail. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Whenever Coleman and I go hiking no matter where we go we can just about always discover swirls. Sometimes they can be swirly lines on bents (piers), or found naturally in nature, or sometimes they can be something simple as a child’s scribbles of swirls and squiggly lines.
Here are a few examples of Swirls we have discovered while hiking.
Swirly lines on a bridge bent Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway Gastonia, North Carolina
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
Yes, Water ripples can be Swirls The Pond; Nature Trail; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina
Now for the piece to resistance …
Swirls and Squiggles made by Coleman when he was 3.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you have a lovely week filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Visiting the Anne Springs Close Greenway, sometimes it’s nice to shoot in black and white instead of always in colour. The effects can be just as striking if not more dramatic and impressive.
These first images were taking while hiking along the trail towards and at Lake Haigler.
Lake Haigler Lake Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway
The next set of images were taken while Coleman was playing on the climbing structure in the Schroering Forest Playground.
Schroering Forest Playground Lake Haigler Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
Coleman sitting on the Climbing Structure Repositioning Resting before #PullingUpaSeatDoes Laying on the Structure count? Not exactly Sitting, Oh well. Never know How or When Coleman will choose to Pull Up a SeatColeman #Pulling Up a Seat on the Central Climbing Structure
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Schroering Forest Playground; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you have a lovely week filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme for the Which Way Challenge is CWWC: Any Which Way Along a Nature Trail (Paved, Unpaved, or Natural surface). The Which Way can be any trail found in nature as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
A Nature Trail can be found in Greenways, state or national parks, and even in some city parks. They can be paved or unpaved natural surfaces or even graveled. Wherever you find to walk or hike amongst nature are fantastic places to show your Which Ways this week. Coleman and I love getting outdoors hiking in nature amongst the trees, rivers, and lakes.
Here is our latest adventure hiking along Nature Trails …
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
*** Note Next Week’s theme: CWWC: Any Which Way on an Interstate, Highway, or Paved Road [06.05.2026]
It’s been amazing to visit Baby Horses born at Anne Springs Close Greenway over the years. I was lucky to have captured Murphy and Forest with their mothers.
Fern and baby Forest (Born in 2022)
Baby Alpacas …
Greenway Baby Alpacas
My Grand-babies …
Coleman (6 almost 7) and Sophia Ruthann (5 months)
God Bless. Treasure your “babies” always. Capture the memories. Love to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Egidio is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She has asked us to limit our movement to within 10-15 steps in any direction from our focal point. Capture what we see from various angles and perspectives as we are Stuck in Place.
My images are all taken from within a few steps from Lake Haigler on the Haigler Loop Trail while hiking with Coleman.
I began taking pictures while Coleman sat on a bench looking out upon Lake Haigler.
The Spillway lock at Lake Haigler
Looking up from the same spot to capture what was hanging from the trees above the lake.
Fishing Bobbers stuck in the tree.
Then I turned around and saw interesting shoe prints on the trail. Here’s a comparison of the shoe print with Coleman’s shoe.
Coleman’s shoe next to a Horseshoe imprinted in the trail
Turning to the left and to the left we acquired these interesting views …
To the left …
A sign indicating the direction to the Lake Haigler Spillway
And to the right …
Where is Coleman going? Not to the bridge, but where?
Still to the right …
The Lake Haigler Spillway Where’s the water? The Spillway is so dry. Insufficient rain, no water is flowing from the Spillway.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens & Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Haigler Loop Trail; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dale, the host of theCosmic Photo Challenge, has challenged us to show areas we have found Shade during the hot, scorching days. Last week we had high’s in the high 80’s and low 90’s. The weekend brought about thunderstorms that are lingering around all week. I’m glad I was able to get out and enjoy visiting a few places with Coleman last week.
The following are a few of the places we found shade …
At Goat Island Park and Greenway …
Shaded by the trees while looking at the South Fork Catawba River
Covered Picnic Shelters provide Shade for a respite from the Hot Sun
Sitting in a Shaded Picnic Shelter Looking out at Shady areas on the Playground
Coleman seeking Shade in the Playground
Coleman and a friend find Shade at the Swings
At The Schiele Museum of Natural History …
A Pig enjoys the Shade of the Pigsty
Coleman resting on a Shaded porch in the Catawba Indian Village at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Shade at the Covered Picnic Shelter along the Nature Trail at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
As you can see Shade can be found just about anywhere if you’re Looking for Shade. Most everywhere Coleman and I hike there are shaded areas if you desire to get out of the sun. Where do you Look for Shade?
After Coleman’s end of year program on Tuesday afternoon we went to Martha Rivers Park, a city park in Gastonia, North Carolina, to allow him to run around and burn off steam and energy. It was a super hot day, so sweat was definitely happening. He did have tons of fun and other kids were enjoying the park for the afternoon as well.
As you may or may not have noticed, Coleman’s selections for Pulling Up a Seat are not always one’s typical seating choices for most people. The following are his choices on this day …
Pull Up a Seat 2026 – Week 21 Martha Rivers Park with Coleman
Location: Martha Rivers Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Martha Rivers Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a sunshiny day. Observe Nature. Thankful for local wildlife. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This Quercus pagoda (Cherrybark Oak) tree is a an old Oak tree which is native to the Carolinas and the Southeastern United States of America. It is a fast-growing, long-lived deciduous tree. These trees are capable of reaching a height between 100-130 feet tall having a 40-70 foot spread. (I included a couple images of the base of the tree so you can get the idea of its spread.)
The Cherrybark Oak trees thrive in moist well-drained bottomland soils in full sun. This Oak tree provides an enormous amount of shade providing protection from the harsh sun. (If you look closely, you’ll be able to view Coleman playing under the Canopy of this Old Oak Tree.
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you rest Under the Canopy of God’s Love and Protection. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: T. Jeffers Center and Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Stem Explorers Pixel Art Challenge is a new Stem learning resource for Coleman.
It develops hands-on critical thinking skills such as problem-solving and spatial reasoning. The kit comes with 10 double-sided challenge cards with activities of increasing difficulty levels.
It is a screen-free learning adventure which engages Coleman in educational Stem play which builds essential coding concepts and mathematical skills through colourful, tactical building experiences. (I limit his screen time (tv) and do not allow him on a computer, hand-held device of any kind at this time.)
It develops Fine Motor Skills enhancing hand-eye coordination and dexterity while he places the pixel pieces to create patterns, designs, and completes structured challenges.
It is an excellent Versatile Educational Tool which can be used for independent play at home, in a home school, or in a classroom. It has multiple difficulty levels that will grow with Coleman as his abilities increase and will keep him challenged for several years.
The kit has Quality Construction which comes with one board and four hundred (400) durable, lightweight foam pieces that stay in place while he is playing/creating, they are safe for his hands and easy for him to manipulate.
Coleman really enjoys playing and creating designs with his Stem Explorers Pixel Art Challenge Kit and we would highly recommend it to any adult who interacts with young children. The age range for this Stem activity is 5+. I can see this being used by adults as well to keep their minds alert and stimulated.
God Bless. Have a pleasant and wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: T. Jeffers Center and Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice). The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Coleman on a wooden path crossing Lake Haigler
For this week’s Which Way Challenge I have chosen to share a Which Way Coleman and I hiked back in 2022 when he was three years old. The hike along Lake Haigler Loop Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway came up in my photo memories, so I thought y’all might enjoy seeing it as well.
Here are my entries …
Cee’s Which Way Challenge (Your Choice) Coleman on Lake Haigler Loop Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Location: Lake Haigler Loop Trail; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
*** Note: Next Week we will be exploring and sharing the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs [05.15.2026]. This will also tie in with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Informational Signs. Feel free to link to his post as well next week. ***
This week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge is hosted by Beth from Wandering Dawgs. She has chosen to have us Look Back to John’s LAPC #155 – On the Water. (I know I’m a little late posting for this challenge, having a grand-baby to take care of during the day hinders my ability to search through my archives for photos depicting “On the Water.” I finally managed to find a selection I hope you’ll enjoy.
I wonder, Does in the water count as well as on the water?
Springs Park Lancaster County, South Carolina
How about a hydroelectric plant?
Great Falls hydroelectric plant Great Falls, South Carolina
This one may or may not count …
Fishing on the shore of the Catawba River (In Great Falls, SC) with Fishing lines Cast on the water.
If that doesn’t work, then I know this one will …
Fishing from a Kayak on the water Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SC
And lastly, let’s take a look at other recreational activities on the water …
Recreational “boating” on the water in Lake Wylie seen from McDowell Nature Preserve Charlotte, North Carolina
God Bless. Take time to enjoy nature on or off the water. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: The Cultural Center Trail; Catawba Nation Greenway Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Catawba Indian Nation; Catawba Reservation; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless Enjoy Nature. Hug a Tree. Peace be with you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-25mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment
Location: Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is CWWC: Any Which Way Capturing People Unaware. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
I hope y’all have had some lovely weather for getting out and about enjoying nature and capturing its amazing beauty. This week’s focus is on Capturing People Unaware in our pathways, the trails we explore, or wherever you may encounter them while you walk or hike in the vast outdoors. My Capturing People Unaware are on the trails Coleman and I hiked in Kings Mountain State Park and in Kings Mountain National Military Park. Enjoy.
Kings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain State Park Kings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain National Military Park Kings Mountain State ParkKings Mountain State ParkKings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain State ParkCee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Any Which Way Capturing People Unaware
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Dan from No Facilities hosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our Something that Took You Higher. I have gone into my archives to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme. Approximately half of the images are within this decade, while the rest are more on the vintage side.
Here are my entries …
American Eagle Flying High Charlotte, NCBuck Rock Lookout Campground in Hume, California ( My dad’s in the yellow shirt)Coleman climbing higher and higher to reach a deer stand Lake Wylie, SCCarowinds Charlotte, NCColeman swinging higher at T Jeffers Center & Park Gastonia, NCColeman being Lifted Higher by his mom’s feet Lake Wylie, SCLineberger Park Gastonia, NCFerris Wheel Myrtle Beach, SCSky Whirl Triple Ferris Wheel California’s Great America Santa Clara, CaliforniaSwinging Rope (my mom’s Swinging) Hume Lake Christian Campground Hume, CaliforniaCee’s Fun Foto Challenge Something that Took You Higher And Higher From Hereand Over Yonder
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-25mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: By Lake Crawford & Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is CWWC: Any Which Way with Shadows . The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
I hope y’all have had some lovely weather for getting out and about enjoying nature and capturing its amazing beauty. This week’s focus is on shadows in our pathways, the trails we explore, or wherever you may encounter them while you walk or hike in the vast outdoors. My shadows are on the trails Coleman and I hiked in Kings Mountain State Park. Enjoy.
Here are my entries …
Hiking Trails with Shadows Kings Mountain State Park
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-25mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment
Location: By Lake Crawford & At The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is CWWC: Any Which Way with Outdoor Steps or Stairs. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
This week I am continuing to show aspects of mine and Coleman’s hike in Kings Mountain State Park, beginning with the Steps to the Bathhouse and continuing along the Lake Crawford Trail and beyond.
Here are my entries …
Steps to Lake CrawfordBathhouse Steps Bathhouse StepsSteps to Lake CrawfordBathhouse StepsStairsSteps to Lake CrawfordStepping StonesSteps to Lake Crawford Stepping Stones CWWC 2026 Any Which Way with Outdoor Steps or Stairs Kings Mountain State Park
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
XingfuMama hosts the weekly challenge Whatsoever Is Lovely. The challenge is simple. Just reflect back over your week and see what is lovely, whether a thing or a moment, share in a post what is precious and lovely to you.
Last Thursday, Coleman and I had an early morning adventure (dropped off at 8am) hiking in Kings Mountain State Park. Coleman loves the being out in the great outdoors surrounded by nature’s beauty.
We were dropped off near Lake Crawford and proceeded to hike down to the lake. We hiked along the Lake Crawford Trail and stopped for a short break to observe the Spillway. Watching the water flow from one side to the other is fascinating and captivated Coleman’s interest.
He hopped from rock to rock to cross the water slowly flowing from the Spillway. I, on the hand, crossed over via the bridge.
Here are the views Coleman and I thought were lovely and the memories we made are extremely precious.
The Spillway at Kings Mountain State Park Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge 2026 – Week 15
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens & Altura UV Filter attachment
Location: The Spillway; Lake Crawford; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Isn’t it lovely to Enjoy Nature. Admire Nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens & Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Get Outdoors. Have a fabulous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: The Spillway; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week I’m starting a new series for XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seatthat will last approximately eight (8) weeks more or less. As you can see from the title it will be on Coleman’s Style (of Pulling Up a Seat) in a State Park. This series will all be Coleman’s Style at Kings Mountain State Park.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). Let me first apologize for being a bit late in posting this week’s Which Way Challenge. Our internet was being wacky going in and out not staying connected for the longest time. Hopefully our WiFi will stay connected so I can complete and publish.
This week I have chosen (CWWC)/CFFC 2026: Any Which Way with Views from a walk or hike for this week’s theme. This week’s CWWC I’m combining with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC). Let’s see what we are looking at as we take our walks or hikes. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
This week Coleman and I took an early morning brisk hike at Kings Mountain State Park (not to be confused with the Kings Mountain National Military Park). We began our hike along the Lake Crawford Trail (Purple Trail Signs) then ventured onto the Historic Farm Trail (Yellow Trail Signs). Our starting point for the Lake Crawford Trail began at the Historic Bathhouse which was built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This Historic Bathhouse is considered to be among the finest examples of CCC rock wall and step construction in the Southeast.
Coleman walking towards the Bathhouse The Rock Steps and the Bathhouse Lake Crawford The Spillway The Water flowing down the Spillway Lake Crawford Coleman following the Purple Trail Signs attached to TreesNotice of Eagle Scout Project completed at Kings Mountain State Park Eagle Scout Project performed by Winston Strong October 2023No Biking Allowed Lake Crawford Trail Kings Mountain State Park
As we continued our Hike, we ventured onto the Historic Farm Trail in order to investigate the Living History Farm. In this next gallery will began on the Historic Farm Trail and end at the Living History Farm.
Coleman following the Yellow Trail Signs At this point we cross the road towards the FarmTrail MapKings Mountain State Park Living History Farm & Parking Who do I see? An Outhouse The chimney & Fireplace which once boiled sorghum stalks Coleman and a wagon Reminds my of the “Little House on the Prairie” wagonsHistoric Farm Trail Kings Mountain State Park
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Dan Antion hosts theThursday Doorschallenge every Thursday. All you need to do to participate is post a picture(s) of a door(s) and leave a link to your post on his current post.
Coleman and I are still on our search for a church we’d like to attend that is in walking distance from our current residence. We have visited three (3) churches so far and none of the services are even close to want we would like in a church service. Some have been welcoming and others have not. What they all have in common, including the church we’d first last Sunday, is they all seem to think they need to have the sound system turned up full blast. That to me is a huge turn off. I do not care to attend any church that thinks they need to blow my eardrums out.
This past Sunday, Coleman and I attended Temple Baptist Church in Gastonia, North Carolina about a 27 minute walk from our house. A few people greeted us, but once they sound system was turned on and the band (I’m not a fan of bands in churches, especially not loud blaring bands) started playing I tried to listen. I really tried to enjoy the music, but I couldn’t not with it blasting so loud it hurt my eardrums. I tried plugging my ears, still extremely too loud. We even walked outside, the sound system was still blasting so loud (to me) it was ridiculous.
Here is a gallery of the doors we saw at the church …
Temple Baptist Church Gastonia, NC
Coleman and I tried sitting in the foyer to listen to the worship service, but it seemed as if the preacher was yelling into the microphone which added to the volume of the sound system that appeared to be turned up all the way as far as it could go. It was still too loud for my liking. Needless to say, we will not be going back.
Location: Temple Baptist Church; 701 Littlejohn Street; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week and weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: This Friday’s CWWC is combined with Dan’s CFFC – Any Which Way with Views from a walk or hike. Let us all show what we see on our walks or hikes. Be sure to include your Which Ways in your post. Thank you.
This week PR from Flights of the Soulis the host for the Monochrome Madness Challenge. For information about the challenge check out Leanne’s Page about how to participate in Monochrome Madness by clicking here.
PR has chosen a theme of Minimalism for this week’s Monochrome Madness theme challenge.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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